Romanian-American relations and North-Atlantic security
After more than ten years of NATO membership, Romania continues to be seen by the USA as an important ally.
Bogdan Matei, 07.12.2016, 13:38
Allies in NATO and united through a privileged strategic partnership,
Bucharest and Washington are connected by ties that are much too string to be
affected by one country or another’s domestic political changes as a result of
elections. Romania will this Sunday host legislative elections, America has a
new president, but nothing can change the essence of bilateral relations.
Republican congressman Michael Turner, a member of the party that put
Donald Trump in the White House to replace Democrat Barack Obama, has
underlined that Romania is a major ally of the United States, which, together
with other European allies, continues to ensure the region’s security. In a
statement on Romania’s National Day on December 1st, Turner
highlighted before Congress the major role played by the anti-missile defence system
in Deveselu, southern Romania, in defending NATO members. Romania and the
United States are working closely together to counter global challenges and
consolidate regional and Euro-Atlantic security and stability, the Republican
politician went on to say.
The Romanian ambassador in Washington, George Maior, issued a press
release hailing the US congressman’s words, which he described as an important
signal of support for the future development of the Romanian-American Strategic
Partnership as well as a proof of respect for Romania. Maior has also added
that this statement by Michael Turner, the co-chairman of the Romanian Caucus
in the US Congress and the chairman of the House Armed Services Tactical Air and Land Forces
Subcommittee, underlined the common interest in promoting
trans-Atlantic and regional security.
On the other side of the Atlantic, in Brussels, NATO Secretary General
Jens Stoltenberg on Tuesday hailed the conclusion of an agreement over data
protection between the USA and the European Union. At a meeting of NATO Foreign
Ministers, he rejected the idea that this document would marginalise NATO,
saying that on the contrary, it would form the basis for strengthening the
transatlantic relationship. According to Radio Romania’s correspondent in
Brussels, the NATO-EU cooperation package implies consolidated cooperation with
a view to countering hybrid threats as well as those in the field of security
and cyber defence. Also attending the meeting, the US Secretary of State in the
current administration, John Kerry, again gave firm assurances that the change
of administration in the White House would not alter the USA’s basic principles
and its commitment to NATO and European security. According to Kerry, this
issue enjoys political support from both major parties in the USA.
